SANTA ANA, Calif., Dec. 7, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Today ACE DuraFlo Pipe Restoration Inc. reveals data showing homes built in the 1980's and 1990's in Southern California are experiencing copper water piping failure within 8 to 15 years, while the original plumbing of homes built in the 1960's and 1970's is lasting 30 to 35 years. In addition, homes built in 1989 have the highest rate of plumbing failures, according to ACE DuraFlo research.
The data supports recent discoveries by Dr. Mark Edwards of Virginia Tech showing changes in municipalities' water chemistry to comply with the Environmental Protection Agency Safe Water Act have accelerated corrosion in copper pipes.
"These failures are astounding considering that all the failing homes plumbing used copper," Steven Wann, President of ACE DuraFlo Pipe Restoration Inc., says. "The EPA started enforcing the Safe Water Act in 1991, and this caused most Southern California cities to eliminate naturally occurring organic matter which promoted the copper coating process of cupric oxide. This coating protected pipes from premature failure and depositing dangerous levels of copper and lead into the water," Wann explains.
According to ACE DuraFlo records, since the EPA changes were mandated failures are occurring in all homes built or re-piped with copper plumbing in as little as two years, with the average between 10 and 14 years.
"People once believed copper lasted forever. It doesn't. It starts to corrode the moment water enters our pipes and when it corrodes quickly it can leave dangerous levels of these heavy metals in our tap water," Wann says.
"Just look at Camp Pendleton, from September 23 to October 27 of this year five percent of the 704 buildings and homes tested had copper levels above 1300 parts per billion," Wann says. "These levels are dangerously high. If Camp Pendleton is an indication of the rest of Southern California, five percent of all Southern California homes means a lot of people are using tap water with dangerous levels of copper daily."
Elliot Katzovitz owner of a West LA insurance agency specializing in habitational policies with frequency of loss issues has seen an increase of cancellations of homeowners' insurance policies because of water damage from failed pipes.
"You can claim water leaks on your insurance, but when a homeowner has as little as one major water loss claim it is very likely that a preferred insurance company will cancel them," says Katzovitz.
Katzovitz affirms that insurance companies can legally deny coverage and once a customer is canceled by a preferred insurance company, he will need to find an alternative carrier. Then premiums go up as well as deductibles, Katzovitz explains.
"Expect premiums to increase at least four times the amount you were previously paying with an inferior contract, and many times water damage coverage is excluded entirely," Katzovitz says.
"These failures could devastate home values here in California," Brian Koelling, Irvine real estate specialist, explains. "Most insurance companies have already begun raising premiums and reducing or eliminating coverage for water leak damage. I just wonder why the insurance commissioner hasn't come to the defense of the homeowner," Koelling says.
Koelling believes we'll soon see insurance companies start mandating pipe restoration from companies like ACE DuraFlo once a property becomes 10 to 20 years old in order to maintain any insurance, not just water coverage. This gives a real urgency for homeowners to deal with failing pipes now and not wait until the options are gone.
"With records showing your pipes have been restored, an agent can gain exceptions from company underwriters because the agent can explain the homeowner has fixed the source of potential future losses, so the losses will not continue," Katzovitz says.
About ACE DuraFlo Pipe Restoration Inc.
ACE DuraFlo Pipe Restoration Inc. began restoring commercial pipes in Southern California in April of 2001. The company began residential pipe restoration in November of 2001. Its patent pending, inner epoxy lining called ePipe(tm) serves as a pipe within a pipe and has been successfully used on thousands of homes, condominiums, hospitals, schools, hotels and commercial buildings to control pipe corrosion. It is a permanent solution for pinhole leaks and corrosion in copper water piping and can prevent future leaks and property damage. For more information call (800) 359-6369 or visit: www.RestoreMyPipes.com.